Voorzitter Europese Raad Van Rompuy benadrukt belang van goede samenwerking Noorwegen en EU (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op woensdag 30 maart 2011.

God ettermiddag

I would like to thank Prime Minister Stoltenberg for inviting me to visit Norway. This is the second time we meet since I became the President of the European Council.

Before I say a few words about our meeting, first of all allow me to congratulate the Prime Minister and the city of Oslo for hosting the Nordic Skiing World Championship just a few weeks ago, in a memorable way.

Norway and the EU have exceptionally close relations. Norway is a good friend and a reliable partner. Our relationship is based on mutual trust and shared values, the very same values on which our European integration is built on.Our economies, companies and people are closely interlinked.

We will continue to facilitate trade, investment and free movement, as we have done in the past:

Since 17 years, Norway is an integral part of the EU Internal Market through the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Norway also belongs to the Schengen area. The EU is by far the largest trading partner for Norway. Our discussion today mainly focused on the economy and energy.

I am impressed by the strong Norwegian economic performance, with a low unemployment rate and the prudent use of your oil revenues. Of course the EU does not benefit from such extraordinary income but the EU economy is picking up: growth is expected to be 1.8 % in 2011 and 1.6 % for the euro area. This is good news for the EU and for Norway.

In the aftermath of the financial crisis, some euro area countries have been faced with important pressures on their sovereign debt. To address these challenges the EU is implementing far-reaching reforms to economic governance that will strengthen the EU economy, and will make Europe an even more attractive place to invest.

Last Friday, the EU Heads of State and Government agreed on the most fundamental reforms to the EU economic framework since the launching of the euro.

These include:

the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact;

a macro surveillance framework;

the strengthening of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the creation of the

the Euro Pact Plus. future European Stability Mechanism (ESM), and

Energy is crucial for both of us. Already in 2002, we had established our successful energy dialogue and we remain committed to it. Coordination of our energy policies gives us mutual benefit. Norway is a critically important partner in EU energy security.

As the key priority for the Union is to further modernise and expand our energy infrastructure, we will continue to need Norway as a reliable supplier. But we can also benefit from further cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources, working on the basis of shared good practices and complementarily.

Let me also mention here that Nuclear Safety remains a key priority for the EU. In the aftermath of the events in Japan, we are drawing our lessons. Last Friday, EU Heads of State and Government agreed to submit all nuclear plants in the EU to a risk and safety assessment. All 27 expressed their attachment to the highest safety standards.

Norway and the EU also have much in common in global affairs. We work hand-in-hand in support of the multilateral system. We are both convinced of the need of a global climate regime, and share the same ambitious approach.

We have set ambitious climate targets by 2020: -20% for the EU and -30% for Norway. We are both willing to step up our ambitions in the context of a global legal climate regime, to -30% and - 40% respectively. Our emission trading schemes are interlinked and successful.

We will do all necessary efforts to make progress in the UN negotiations. We confirm our willingness to contribute to the 100 billion dollars needed by 2020 and to work together in the setting up of the Climate Green Fund.

Finally, allow me to say a few words about our Southern neighbourhood and particularly the crisis in Libya. The European Council has taken a clear position:

condemning the violence the Libyan regime inflicted on its own people pledging support to a democratic transition in Libya, and playing a decisive role in finding a solution that meets the legitimate demands of the Libyan people. Norway is an important partner in these efforts, and we count on further Norwegian contribution.

Takk, thank you.